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Complementary Feeding: Recommendations for the Introduction of Allergenic Foods and Gluten in the Preterm Infant

Federica Chiale1, Elena Maggiora1, Arianna Aceti2

  • 1Neonatal Pathology and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Sant'Anna Hospital, City of Health and Science University Hospital of Turin, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy.

Nutrients
|August 10, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Introducing allergenic foods and gluten to preterm infants can begin around 4 months corrected age, aligning with complementary feeding. Delayed introduction is not advised, though caution with large gluten amounts is suggested.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Neonatology
  • Allergy and Immunology

Background:

  • Preterm infants have unique nutritional needs and developmental considerations.
  • Current guidelines for solid food introduction are primarily for full-term infants.
  • Evidence regarding optimal timing for allergenic food and gluten introduction in preterm infants is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically review existing literature on introducing allergenic foods and gluten to preterm infants.
  • To assess the applicability of current guidelines for full-term infants to preterm populations.
  • To identify gaps in research for developing evidence-based recommendations.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic literature search of PubMed and Cochrane Library.
  • Inclusion of studies on gluten and allergenic food introduction in preterm infants.
  • Secondary search for guidelines applicable to healthy full-term infants.

Main Results:

  • 15 papers from PubMed and 8 from Cochrane Library met inclusion criteria.
  • An additional 59 papers were included from secondary searches.
  • Limited evidence exists for specific recommendations, highlighting research needs.

Conclusions:

  • Standard guidelines for solid food introduction are not directly applicable to preterm infants.
  • Allergenic foods and gluten can be introduced around 4 months corrected age, coinciding with complementary feeding.
  • Avoidance of delayed introduction is suggested, with caution regarding large gluten quantities in early infancy.
Abstract

Keywords:
allergenic foodsceliac diseasecomplementary feedingfood allergyglutenpreterm infantsweaning

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